Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-09-03

REGIMENTS THAT ENLISTED FOR THE WAR BEFORE
THE MASSACHUSETTS ORGANIZATIONS.
To the Editor Of THE EVENING STAR:
Wherever the enlistment and services OF colored
soldiers In the late war have been spoken of 1t has
been the custom TO hold up the 54th and 55tll
Massachusetts, regiments as the banner and
pioneer eolored organizations see by late
issue OF your valuable paper that Gen. Butler con-
tradtcts this In which he Is fully corroborated by
the Official records OF the war Department. 1t
VIII interest many, especially old soldiers to know
tae exact facts in this regard and 1t certainly is
time that they were generally known.
The official records OF the War Department show
that the very nrSL colOred troops enlisted in the
military service Of the Government We're the 1st,
Guards" enlisted by order OF Gen. Butler. The
name was changed by him to "Corps diAfrique -
became, by order OF the War Department the 73d,
74th, 18th, and 18th United States colored infan-
try. The dates OF the completion OF their organi-
Der "a, 1851, and March 8, 1863 respectively In
Kansas the organization or the LIST Kansas cOlored
infantry was begun January ID and completed
May 2, 1858, when IL was Immediately sent TO the
held and saw much hard service and lighting The
designation OF this regiment was arterward
United states colored infantry In South Carolina
the organization OF the lst south Carolina yolun-
teersr was completed on January 81, 1868. It's
designation being afterward changed to 33d
United states colored infantry.
Now come, In point OF time, the Massachusetts,
regiments or these the organization OF the 54th
IA
1853. and that Of the S5th was commenced May 81
and completed june ~, 1883
Thus 1t Il seen that prior even to the commence.
ment OF the organization OF either Massachusetts
regiments, the s3d, 73d 74th. 10th, 18th and 18Th
regiments United States cOiored infantry were tu
the neid. This Is from the books and disposeS OF
the claim that Massachusetts, was the first TO en-.
list and employ colored soldiers.
The organization OF the Massachusetts, reyi.
ments preceded by very short time, In some
cases few days only, that OF the 1st Sd 4th and
9th United States colOred Infantry.
The 54th Massachusetts, participated with loss
IN nve engagements. In these It's loss was: OH
GERS killed, .: wounded Is; enlisted men killed ~
wounded, 1876; missing, IA: total casualties :39l
The 18TH uSt kanSas), participated with loss In
~ engagements, the Casualties being: Officers
killed, D; wounded, y; missing, 1; enlisted meI
KILLED. 113; wounded, 223; missing, II; total 42S
The casualties OF some OF the other regiments
engaged la the campaign OF lS64-66 were as fol
lows: 4th regiment, 3a5; 9Th regiment, $50; 6lt
regiment, 2o1; tn regiment, 264; Sth regiment
Ala; I'D regiment, 271. The Casualties given arr
actual battle casualties. From these Tigures IL
VIII De seen that several regiments suffered greater
loss In battle than did the Massachusetts reyf
ments, while many regiments lost nearly as heay.
ny. These facts are not submitted with a view OF
oetractlng from the weil-eaTned renown OF the
MASSACHUSETTS, regiments but 10 correct some pOD-
uar errors and 70 show also that some laurels may
belong elsewhere. Very respectfully
Ex-OFFICKK q. 8. c. T.